In this project, Philadelphia-based architects Alexis Pew and Kevin Kaminski reimagined the entire ground floor of a Tudor Revival-style carriage house that was originally designed by G.W. and W.D. Hewitt in 1902. Relocating from the midwest to the city’s Mt. Airy neighborhood to be closer to family, the homeowners envisioned a warm, accessible living space with modern functionality that still honored the building’s heritage.
As the firm specializes in historical work, the program was right up Kaminski + Pew‘s alley. Previously chopped up and awkwardly laid out, the first floor had most recently been used as a dance studio; living spaces were concentrated on the second floor. The building boasted a wealth of original detailing and character, featuring diamond lattice windows, stonework, tin ceilings and a muscular wood wainscot. The K+P team used these to inform their design with a modern interpretation.
“We started by building a color story around the existing context of the carriage house,” said Pew. The exterior features heavy stone masonry, half-timbering and a red shingle roof. The architects responded by developing a palette – deep red-painted wooden cabinets, black granite countertops, paneled appliances – that built on the original elements of the home to create an inviting, comfortable design.
Because the client prioritized storage and serving areas over in-kitchen seating, Kaminski and Pew elected to have the dining table be the visual focal point of the space. It’s positioned between the kitchen and a larger living area that’s anchored by a fireplace.
Having a tin ceiling in relatively great shape was fortuitous. However, a few spots needed to be infilled and the egg and dart trim around the new walls and kitchen exhaust had to be added. “Tin is unforgiving,” said Pew. “Luckily, we were able to find a fabricator that still produced similar profiles and an installer to make the new work blend seamlessly with the existing.”
Said Kaminski, “We were drawn to the project because of the charming character of the home, coupled with an equally charming client who took great delight in the design process. From the start, our goals were aligned, which is critical to a successful project.”
Sources for Carriage House Kitchen
Design: Kaminski + Pew; Photography: Jason Varney Photography; Cabinets, Cabinet Inserts: Main Street Cabinet of PA/Plato; Cooktop: Wolf; Countertops: Nero Mist Granite; Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator, Vent Hood, Wall Ovens: Bosch; Faucets: Rohl; Lighting: Visual Comfort, Mitzi; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; Seating: Four Hands; Sinks: Kohler
